Is there a powered speaker/mic for HTs?

[KF7GLF]

I was wondering if anybody sells a powered speaker/mic to provide higher audio output for an HT. I googled around but didn't find anything yet.

[KA9VQF]

Power speaker mic! ?? Sounds like something you might need for your superwhackpack HT. Mebby with a rodger beep and talkback an a few noise toys thrown in to boot?

Seriously do you have a problem hearing the speaker in your speaker mic. Sometimes in noisy environments {like outside or at a bike race event when I’m trying to help coordinate things} and I can’t hear it well I put it to my ear. It is on a long coiled wire that allows this.

Generally the volume on mine is more than enough that I do not have to do this.

[K8MHZ]

I doubt there is such a thing as a powered speaker/mic.

When I operate in noisy environments I just use an earphone. Most speaker mikes have a place to plug one in. In REALLY noisy environments, like at an air show, I use shooter's muffs over the earphones.

So far, the above has worked well, for years, at dozens of events.

[KF7GLF]

Power speaker mic! ?? Sounds like something you might need for your superwhackpack HT. Mebby with a rodger beep and talkback an a few noise toys thrown in to boot?

Seriously do you have a problem hearing the speaker in your speaker mic. Sometimes in noisy environments {like outside or at a bike race event when I’m trying to help coordinate things} and I can’t hear it well I put it to my ear. It is on a long coiled wire that allows this.

Generally the volume on mine is more than enough that I do not have to do this.

Yes, I do have a problem hearing it. The volume from the HT is just barely adequate in the car, and the speakermic I have now is actually a little quieter than the HT's speaker. I'd rather not have to hold it to my ear to hear it, especially if I'm just listening and not actively talking.

I'm glad you found a solution to fit your needs though, do you use a rubber band to hold the mic to your ear? Like this:

http://radar.spacebar.org/img/1171146652-1595540295-thumb.jpg

[KA9MOT]

I'm glad you found a solution to fit your needs though, do you use a rubber band to hold the mic to your ear? Like this:

http://radar.spacebar.org/img/1171146652-1595540295-thumb.jpg

VQF's response was a legitimate one. They make special ear-piece mics for HT's. Radio Shack used to sell Amplified External Speakers. I do not know if they still do. I have 2 and was going to offer to send you one. But you are a funny guy so I'll keep mine.

[W5RB]

http://www.geeks.com/imageshare/G/150x150/GX203-soft.gif

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=GX203&cat=SPK

Something like this should be readily adaptable . It's designed to work with portable games , costs less than 10 bucks. Oughta work OK in a mobile environment .

[KF7GLF]

VQ'sF response was a legitimate one. They make special ear-piece mics for HT's. Radio Shack used to sell Amplified External Speakers. I do not know if they still do. I have 2 and was going to offer to send you one. But you are a funny guy so I'll keep mine.

Maybe I missed it, but KA9VQF didn't mention ear-piece mics. K8MHZ did, without talking about superwhackerpack HTs or throwing in any condescending remarks either. Maybe you need to go re-read VQF's post.

[KF7GLF]

http://www.geeks.com/imageshare/G/150x150/GX203-soft.gif

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=GX203&cat=SPK

Something like this should be readily adaptable . It's designed to work with portable games , costs less than 10 bucks. Oughta work OK in a mobile environment .

Thanks, that might do the trick. Now I will have my very own superwhackpack HT, although without the roger beep.

[KA9MOT]

Maybe I missed it, but KA9VQF didn't mention ear-piece mics. K8MHZ did, without talking about superwhackerpack HTs or throwing in any condescending remarks either. Maybe you need to go re-read VQF's post.

After a re-read, I see that you are correct. My apologies. I still have that amplified speaker if you want it. You pay for shipping.

[VE6TEQ]

Jest say beep before you let go of the PTT and the roger beep problem will be dealt with as well;)

[KA9VQF]

I apologize for my trying to make a funny at your expense but power mic’s tend to go with the former CB’er crowd and that’s what caught in my tiny little mind.

I went through several speaker mic’s with my own HTX-202 until I finally found one I really liked. I bought one at RatSack when I first got the HT but didn’t like the sound quality. I then got a Motorola model and didn’t like it either. It was plenty loud enough to listen to but my transmit audio sounded like I was at the bottom of a barrel or something.

I borrowed a Yaesu speaker mic and liked it alright but eventually had to return it. I bought a cute little unit Radio Shack was selling with a tiny mic that has a PTT button on it and earbud but the earbud kept falling out of my ear there was no hoop to hold it on.

I got one of the real small ones from MFJ that has a jack to plug in a pair of stereo headphones that works fine but here in Illinois you can not cover both ears while driving.

One day at the Sterling Illinois hamfest I bought a whole box of miscellaneous stuff and in that box was the speaker mic I use now. I have no clue as to what brand it is but I looks a lot like the older model Kenwood speaker mic’s did, just a bit more square, no rounded corners to speak of.

Inside is a paper element speaker with a darn big {for the overall size of the speaker mic} magnet on it, and a electret condenser mic and of course a PTT button.

My best suggestion is you try different ones and see what you can find that you do like.

[G4ILO]

I have a Motorola GP300 (commercial VHF HT) and whilst it only has 16 channels and lacks features like a digital readout it has much louder and punchier audio than any of my ham brand handhelds. It's also a lot more ruggedly built. I don't know if all commercial radios have louder audio (it makes sense if they will be used in noisy environments) but it's an option to consider, perhaps.

[KF7GLF]

I have a Motorola GP300 (commercial VHF HT) and whilst it only has 16 channels and lacks features like a digital readout it has much louder and punchier audio than any of my ham brand handhelds. It's also a lot more ruggedly built. I don't know if all commercial radios have louder audio (it makes sense if they will be used in noisy environments) but it's an option to consider, perhaps.

Yeah, that's what I've heard, the commercial radios (esp. Motorola) have very good audio power.

Ultimately I'm going to be putting in a mobile unit in the car, so for the time being I was hoping for something cheap I could boost the audio of the HT with.

Thanks for your input everybody (even VQF :p).

[K8MHZ]

I apologize for my trying to make a funny at your expense but power mic’s tend to go with the former CB’er crowd and that’s what caught in my tiny little mind.Now I get it!!!

I didn't even relate the power to the mike---I was thinking powered speaker.

I even own a couple CB power mikes and the request never made me even think of them.

I guess I'm getting slow..:rolleyes:

[K8MHZ]

Now that I know what the OP is up to, I need to change my advice.

In my vehicle I have all my radios feeding external speakers. HUGE difference. Also, you can place the speakers where they will do the most good.

Sad to say, but RS has a pretty good external speaker for radios.